How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 255 Wei Zhongxian: Princes, let's go to the capital! The Emperor is in a hurry!

It gets dark early in Xi'an.

The wind swirled up yellow dust, pattering against the paper windows of the Qin Prince's mansion, making a rustling sound.

The mansion was filled with candles, so bright they were almost blinding.

Prince Zhu Gongxiao of Zhou sat in the main seat, his fingers gripping the wine cup turning slightly white. Several rather exquisite dishes were laid out on the table, but the atmosphere inside was even more somber than the night outside the window.

The King of Han, the King of Su, and the King of Qing sat on either side, but their eyes seemed to be not enough as they secretly examined the carved beams and painted rafters of the Qin Prince's Mansion.

These three princes, usually confined to remote towns like Pingliang, Lanzhou, and Ningxia, even had to report to the city guards before leaving the city to sweep tombs. They had never seen the prosperity of Xi'an, let alone stepped into the magnificent Qin Prince's Palace. At this moment, their faces showed no joy, only a shrewdness born from long-suppressed desire, finally able to stand tall and negotiate.

"Grand Master of the Imperial Clan," King Han spoke first, tapping his fingers on the table as he tried to adopt the airs of a prince, "It's not that I'm ignorant of the bigger picture. It's just that... it's not easy for this whole family to move to the capital."

He paused, glancing at the Prince of Zhou's expression: "Did His Majesty grant my three good-for-nothing sons' requests for official positions last time?"

He was still thinking about his three sons becoming officials! He felt he didn't ask for much; he would be content if each of his sons could become a county magistrate.

Emperor Chongzhen certainly wouldn't have been so sure... If the three generals who were supposed to be just bodyguards, moving around in front of the emperor, the outer court might turn a blind eye. But to actually appoint them as county magistrates and put them in charge of local civil administration was absolutely out of the question.

King Zhou knew perfectly well what was going on, but he couldn't say it aloud. Just as he was thinking about how to phrase it, King Su spoke up, his voice filled with calculation:

“Brother Han is right. As for the grain… there is indeed some grain stored in the manor, and I am willing to share the burden of the court and sell it to the government at a fair price. But in this year, the price of grain changes every day… is it too much to calculate it at four taels and eighty-one shi?” He thought that he would take this opportunity to sell the stockpiled old grain at a high price and make a lot of money to go to Beijing to live a carefree life.

Prince Qing was even more direct, leaning forward and lowering his voice:

“King Zhou, at least we have property and estates in Shaanxi, but we’ll be empty-handed when we get to the capital. As for the granting of land and houses… His Majesty has to give us an explanation, right? It can’t be too much worse than what the Prince of Qin has.” He was worried that once they arrived in the capital, they would be outdone by the Prince of Qin, who had already entered the capital to “buy up bargains.”

As King Zhou listened, his heart sank lower and lower. He knew these vassal kings were greedy, but he never expected them to be so audacious. Shaanxi was littered with corpses of the starving, yet they were thinking of how to take advantage of their departure from Shaanxi to make one last fortune, and even take a bite out of the future spoils.

He suppressed his anger, tried to negotiate, and threw out a new bait:
"My dear uncles and brothers, His Majesty's intention is for you all to go to the capital to enjoy a life of luxury! How can this bitter and cold place of Shaanxi compare?"

He pointed to the splendor of the Prince's mansion: "When we arrive in the capital, we'll be staying in a residence right next to the Western Garden! That's right under the Emperor's nose, a truly prosperous place! The scenery of the Qinhuai River and the clear snow of the Western Hills—how can this Xi'an compare?"

Seeing that the three seemed interested, he lowered his voice and threw out the most crucial point: "More importantly, have you all considered this? The Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty strictly prohibit feudal princes. But once they leave their fiefdoms and reside permanently in the capital, they are no longer feudal princes!"

His gaze swept over the three men: "Without barriers, there are no restrictions! At that time, you can truly be wealthy and leisurely, free to come and go, make friends with famous people, and travel the world... Wouldn't that be better than being confined to a corner like prisoners?"

These words truly struck a nerve with the three kings. Who would willingly spend their entire life confined to a small town? The prosperity of the capital, the emperor's close advisors, and... freedom! The King of Han's eyes flickered, the King of Su stroked his beard, and the King of Qing sat up straight.

But greed ultimately prevailed.

"Future prospects are future prospects, and life is life!" Prince Qing interrupted Prince Zhou's rosy vision with a forced smile. "The Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan has painted a very grand picture! But in reality, we can't go to the capital empty-handed and starve, can we? Settling down and buying property, and ensuring the future of our children—all of these require real money."

There was an awkward silence after that.

King Zhou felt utterly powerless. A painted cake is never as good as real silver. He was the Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan, but these men were also princes; who could truly subdue whom?
Just then, a sudden clatter of hooves came from outside the mansion gate, followed by the clanging of armor and stern rebukes.

"who?!"

"Grand Eunuch Wei, the Director of Ceremonial Affairs, has arrived! Quickly open the central gate!"

The voice was shrill, clearly belonging to an imperial eunuch.

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

The three princes, who had been talking animatedly just moments before, turned pale instantly. The Prince of Han dropped his wine cup on the table with a clatter, not even noticing the wine spilled all over him.

Why did Wei Zhongxian come?

This is the sharpest blade in the Emperor's hand!

How did the Prince of Dai die? How was the Prince of Fu driven out of Luoyang? How was the Prince of Qin "invited" to Beijing? Which of these incidents isn't related to this living devil?
Now this living Yama has suddenly arrived in Xi'an, and just at the crucial moment when the three princes were invited to the Qin Prince's mansion by the Zhou Prince.

The hall door was pushed open, bringing in a cool breeze.

Wei Zhongxian, dressed in a python robe, walked in with a smile plastered on his face. Behind him followed several men in black, each with a smiling face, yet sending chills down one's spine.

He first bowed slightly to the Zhou king on the main seat and said gently:

"Grand Master of the Imperial Clan, I have come by imperial decree. I apologize for disturbing your banquet." After saying this, his triangular eyes slowly swept over the Prince of Han, the Prince of Su, and the Prince of Qing.

Wei Zhongxian appeared amiable, but the three princes involuntarily lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound.

Wei Zhongxian said no more and took out a roll of bright yellow satin from the brocade box held by the eunuch beside him.

"Prince Qing, Prince Su, and Prince Han, receive the imperial decree."

The three hurriedly left their seats, fell to their knees with a thud, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably.

King Zhou also stood up and stood respectfully to one side.

The imperial edict was very short, just a few sentences:
"The imperial edict reads: 'I think of my relatives and miss them dearly. I hereby order Prince Qing, Prince Su, and Prince Han to depart immediately upon receiving this decree and proceed to the capital for an audience. There must be no delay. This is my decree.'"

There is no room for negotiation, no room for compromise.

The four words "Set off immediately" acted like an iron hoop, strangling the three kings' scheming and their nascent yearning for freedom.

"Your Majesty, we... Your Majesty, we accept your decree! We thank you for your divine grace!" King Han prostrated himself on the ground, his voice trembling.

Prince Su and Prince Qing also quickly kowtowed, their foreheads hitting the bricks with a thud.

Wei Zhongxian closed the imperial edict, his expression softening slightly, but the weight of his words increased:
"Your Highnesses, please rise. His Majesty is in the capital and thinks of you all every day."

He abruptly changed the subject, seemingly casually mentioning it, but it made the three people who had just stood up feel their legs go weak again:
"His Majesty, understanding the inconvenience of the princes' accommodations upon their arrival in the capital, has specially bestowed upon them residences."

Wei Zhongxian paused, his gaze sweeping over the three princes' faces, before slowly saying:
"These are the three mansions previously confiscated from the name of the traitorous Duke Zhu Chunchen. They are in good locations and spacious, befitting a prince."

Zhu Chunchen? That Duke of Cheng, whose family was wiped out and whose head was hung up for days!
That's a haunted house! Is it really haunted?

The three princes' faces turned from deathly pale to ashen. The emperor was bestowing a mansion upon a meritorious official who had been executed… This was no favor! It was a warning! A sword hanging over their heads!

How could anyone sleep at night in a place like that? That freedom of "no boundaries, no restrictions" sounds like an ironic joke now.

Prince Zhou, listening nearby, felt a sudden jolt in his heart. But he immediately understood what Chongzhen meant.

Your Majesty's move was truly... ruthless and decisive!
This saved them the expense of building a new house, as they used an existing one; moreover, this blood-stained mansion served as a constant reminder to these vassal kings: Remember the fate of Zhu Chunchen! What I can give you, I can also take away! You must obediently pledge your loyalty!
Wei Zhongxian, seemingly oblivious to the fear in the three princes' eyes, added a few more words, as if offering a sweet treat, but more like reminding them they had no other choice:

"His Majesty also said that the sons of the three princes will have priority to study at the Jingxi Official School when they arrive in the capital, and will be able to accompany the princes in their studies, with a bright future ahead of them."

He then changed the subject again, returning to the argument at the banquet, his tone calm yet barbed:
"As for those trivial matters that the princes mentioned to the Grand Master of Ceremonies before they came to our house, such as official positions, grain prices, and shares..."

He drawled out his words, watching the three princes break out in a cold sweat—how could he not be anxious? How did Wei Zhongxian know what they had discussed before? He had someone watching them!
Wei Zhongxian's tone suddenly turned serious: "It's not too late to discuss this after you all have safely arrived in the capital and met the Emperor."

Arrived safely in Beijing...

Why does that sound so creepy?

That deposed Prince Dai didn't seem to make it safely to the high walls of Fengyang; he died in Luoyang for no apparent reason!
Wei Zhongxian said no more, and bowed to Prince Zhou: "Grand Master of the Imperial Clan Court, His Majesty entrusts the affairs of Shaanxi to you. I still have to escort the three princes on their journey, so I will not stay any longer."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

The three princes seemed to have been ripped out of their wits, and were "invited" out by the guards, without even having time to pack their valuables.

The once bustling banquet hall was now empty, leaving only leftover food and the lonely figure of King Zhou.

A chief steward from the prince's residence approached and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, what should be done with the estates, treasuries, and servants of the three princes?"

King Zhou gazed at the pitch-black night outside the window and let out a long sigh. Freedom? Perhaps it existed, but only within the cage drawn by imperial power.

"Proceed according to the old rules of the Prince of Qin's residence. The estates and shops will be contracted out to capable generals and lieutenants in the residence for management, with a fixed amount of rent to be paid annually. The treasury's money and grain... will be registered and sealed, awaiting His Majesty's decree."

The silver from the Prince's Palace will definitely be transported to Beijing, but this time the grain hoarded by the three princes can finally be used to alleviate the emergency.

Although it's just a drop in the ocean, it's better than nothing.

(End of this chapter)